Abstract: A method of and apparatus for slicing a three-dimensional object representation into a plurality of layer representations is described, wherein the layer representations are subsequently used to form the object layer-by-layer according to the principles of stereolithography. If not already provided in the object representation, a plurality of layer boundary representations are first formed, and then the boolean difference of successive layer boundary representations are computed to derive boundaries of up and down-facing regions, enabling different cure parameters to be specified for these different regions.

Abstract: Cured, latex-blended compositions featuring a fluoroelastomer and a fluoroplastic, and curable core-shell polymers having a fluoroelastomer precursor-containing shell and a fluoroplastic-containing core.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new group of viruses, designated SVI. Isolated SVI viruses, polynucleotides and proteins from SVI viruses, and antibodies which bind SVI virus and SVI viral proteins are provided. The polynucleotides, proteins, and antibodies of the invention may be used to detect SVI virus or infection by SVI virus in a susceptible individual. Additionally, polynucleotides of the invention may be inserted into recombinant expression vectors recombinant production of viral proteins.

Abstract: A dry particulate dispersion system includes a fluidized bed of particulate material, an intake device within the fluidized bed, and a controllable source of supplemental gas connected to the intake device. The amount of supplemental gas supplied to the intake device controls the amount of suspended particulate material withdrawn through the intake device. The intake device may be coupled to a venturi eductor, which then sucks the supplemental gas and fluidized particulate material out of the fluidized bed and entrains it in a stream of pressurized gas flowing to a dispersion apparatus, such as a spray nozzle.

Abstract: A machine for forming an inverted U-shaped folded fin with an aspect ratio of H/W includes a stationary frame, a locating device, a folding tool carrier and successive first, second and third folding tools. The carrier is horizontally and reciprocally mounted on the frame. The three folding tools are drivably carried by the carrier, each tool with a width substantially equal to W including an upper clamping block and a lower clamping block respectively for fixing a metal strip during formation of the heat dissipating fin. The first and second tools and the second and third tools are respectively spaced from each other at a distance substantially equal to H when the machine is at an original position. The locating device is also drivably mounted on the frame for fixing the horizontal metal strip relative to the frame when the three folding tools do not clamp the strip.

Abstract: A manufacturing process of cellulose solution with low viscosity includes the step of dissolving a cellulose in a mixture solvent which is produced by mixing an additional solvent mixture, N-methylol caprolactom, with a main solvent, N-methyl morpholine oxide. The present invention not only can increase the swelling of the pulp during the dissolving process, but also can lower the viscosity of the cellulose solution that enables the manufacturing process to process at lower temperature and the cellulose solution produced to spin in higher spinning speed. Therefore, the physical property and the quality of the final fiber product are improved by eliminating the problem of cellulose polymerization decay.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel antibody, designated the .alpha.EM10 antibody. Also provided are methods of determining hematopoietic stem cell content. The methods employ using antibodies (.alpha.EM10) specific for a unique cell marker (EM10) that is expressed on stem cells.

Abstract: A high aspect ratio, low solidity fan blade of an axial flow air cycle machine has a local tip center of gravity axis that has been shifted ahead of an elastic axis. The center of gravity axis can be shifted by clipping the tip of the blade at the trailing edge, by undercutting a rear portion of the pressure surface, or by sweeping forward leading and trailing edges of the blade by about five degrees (without clipping or undercutting the blade).

Abstract: A mask matching approach to detect shot changes in MPEG coded video uses reference ratio variances of macroblocks between MPEG coded frames. A function is designed to quantize the results into shot change probability values. Moreover, a conversion function modifies this probability computation to minimize misdetection and loss of detection under unusual image pattern situations. A shot change probability threshold is defined for the video to be examined. When a frame's modified shot change probability exceeds this threshold, the frame is considered to contain a shot change. With this approach, processing time is reduced by evaluating MPEG coded data directly, rather than the raw video.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for slicing a three-dimensional object representation into a plurality of layer representations is described, wherein the layer representations are subsequently used to form the object layer-by-layer according to the principles of stereolithography. If not already provided in the object representation, a plurality of layer boundary representations are first formed, and then the boolean difference of successive layer boundary representations are computed to derive boundaries of up and down-facing regions, enabling different cure parameters to be specified for these different regions.

Abstract: A video indexing and query execution system includes a processor which indexes video clips by: (a) identifying each symbol of one or more graphical icons in each frame of each video clip, (b) determining the horizontal, vertical and temporal coordinates of each symbol of the identified graphical icons, and (c) constructing a database for each identified symbol of the graphical icons. The processor converts a video query from graphical form to string form by: (a) receiving a video query specifying the vertical, horizontal and temporal coordinates of a graphical icon to be matched in at least one frame to be retrieved, and (b) constructing a normal 3-D string from the video query indicating the distance between each symbol of each icon in the video query in each direction.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel antibody, designated .alpha.EM10, and a hybridoma cell line that produces the .alpha.EM10 antibody. Also provided are methods to obtain compositions enriched for hematopoietic stem cells. The methods employ a separation technique utilizing antibodies (.alpha.EM10) specific for a unique cell marker (EM10) that is expressed on stem and progenitor cells, while being less accessible or absent on more mature cells. Further provided are cell compositions enriched for EM10+ cells.

Abstract: A variable pitch fan for a helicopter equipped with a NOTAR.RTM. mechanical antitorque directional control system comprises a plurality of blade assemblies. Each blade assembly includes a blade portion, which is molded from a blended material which includes fiber reinforced polypropylene. A key to the invention is the use of long fibers, having a length of at least approximately one-half inch, for reinforcement, the long fibers providing for about twice the pull-out strength of short or chopped fibers. Another key aspect of the invention is the use of a blowing agent in the blended material, which serves to reduce weight and warpage by creating a foamed structure having a variable density, the structure retaining considerable strength because of the fiber reinforcement. The blade portion is molded about a spar which has holes therethrough, the holes providing a mechanical interlock between the blade and the spar.

Abstract: A method for obtaining human hematopoietic stem cells is provided by enrichment for stem cells using a novel stem cell marker. Compositions enriched for stem cells are obtained using novel antibody HCC-1 which is specific for a CD59 epitope highly accessible on stem cells, and less accessible or absent on mature cells. The enriched population of cells derived from these methods are also provided.

Abstract: A variable pitch fan for a helicopter equipped with a NOTAR.TM. mechanical antitorque directional control system comprises a plurality of blade assemblies. Each blade assembly includes a blade portion, which is molded from a blended material which includes fiber reinforced polypropylene. A key to the invention is the use of long fibers, having a length of at least approximately one-half inch, for reinforcement, the long fibers providing for about twice the pull-out strength of short or chopped fibers. Another key aspect of the invention is the use of a blowing agent in the blended material, which serves to reduce weight and warpage by creating a foamed structure having a variable density, the structure retaining considerable strength because of the fiber reinforcement. The blade portion is molded about a spar which has holes therethrough, the holes providing a mechanical interlock between the blade and the spar.

Abstract: Alcohol-soluble aromatic heterocyclic polymers and copolymers having repeating units of the formulae I or II: ##STR1## wherein Q is a benzobisazole of the formula: ##STR2## wherein X is --O-- or --S--; wherein x has a value of 0.0 to 1.00 and y has a value of 0.05 to 1.00, and R is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR3## and R' is selected from the group consisting of alkyl having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, alkaryl having 7 to 12 carbon atoms, aralkyl having 7 to 12 carbon atoms and substituted aromatic having 1 to 3 substituent groups. The alcohol-soluble polymers and copolymers may be used for fabricating organic/inorganic hybrid composites with metal alkoxides M(OZ).sub.v, wherein M is Si, Ti, Al or the like and Z is a lower alkyl group. These polymers and copolymers can also be used to coat materials or substrates which are susceptible to attack by highly corrosive acids.

Abstract: A communications network for processing insurance claims of objects. The communications network including claim terminals and repair terminals, each having a processor, a display monitor, and a mass storage device, for inputting and sending object-identification data, parts graphics images, and images from the claims terminals to the repair terminals through a communications channel. The repair terminals compute repair and replacement estimates and send the estimates to the claim terminal. The object-identification data include information stored in digital form for a multiplicity of objects. The sum of the costs for repairing an object or a part of an object versus the cost for replacing the object or the part of a object is compared. An imaging device may be used for capturing an electronic image in digital form of the damaged object.

Abstract: Alcohol-soluble aromatic heterocyclic copolymers having repeating units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein x has a value of 0.05 to 0.50 and y has a value of 1.0-x. These copolymers are useful in the preparation of organic/inorganic hybrid materials having transparency which comprise the sol-gel derived, hydrolytically condensed reaction product of a metal alkoxide of the formula M(OR).sub.w wherein R is a lower alkyl group, M is Si, Ti, Al or a mixture thereof, and w is the valence value of M, and the above copolymer.

Abstract: Alcohol-soluble, aromatic heterocyclic copolymers having repeating units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein x has a value of 0.10 to 0.90 and y has a value of 1.0-x. These copolymers are useful in the preparation of organic/inorganic hybrid materials having transparency which comprise the sol-gel derived, hydrolytically condensed reaction product of a metal alkoxide of the formula M(OR).sub.w wherein R is a lower alkyl group, M is Si, Ti, Al or a mixture thereof, and w is the valence value of M, and the above copolymer.

Abstract: Alcohol-soluble aromatic heterocyclic polymers having repeating units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is --O-- or --S--, and R is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR2## and R' is selected from the group consisting of alkyl having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, alkaryl having 7 to 12 carbon atoms, aralkyl having 7 to 12 carbon atoms and substituted aromatic having 1 to 3 substituent groups.The alcohol-soluble polymers may be used for fabricating organic/inorganic hybrid composites with metal alkoxides M(OQ).sub.v, wherein M is Si, Ti, Al or the like and Q is a lower alkyl group. These polymers can also be used to coat materials or substrates which are susceptible to attack by highly corrosive acids. On drying, the ionic bond between the trialkylamine and the sulfo group is broken and the polymer reverts to the parent structure, thereby leaving a polymer coating. Yet further, the original amine can be exchanged with a less volatile amine or an amine having a desired functionality.